Monday, February 19, 2007

Welcome to the new look of the Hardcore Zen Blog! It took me ages and ages and ages to get this to look right. I'm still not entirely satisfied with it. But I'm sick of typing HTML code. I had to learn to do that for work back about 7-8 years ago when we were starting our webpage. As soon as editing programs came in, I was like, man I ain't never writing no HTML code again. But I did it today. And I remembered well why I vowed never to do it again. It is way worse than Zazen.

ANYWAY. Some of you have been asking if I'll come speak in your neck of the woods. The answer is YES. But, in general I have NO IDEA how to book a speaking gig out there, wherever there happens to be. So here's the deal. If you want me to come to your area, see if you can find a place that'll have me. I have a new book coming out in May. I got a weekly Suicide Girls column viewed by — they tell me — millions of people. Whenever I do a speaking gig, lots of folks show up. Maybe I only get seven people for Zazen on Saturdays, but if folks don't gotta do anything but listen to a talk, they show up. And then they challenge all the stuff I've just said about Zazen, having never actually done any. Weird, huh?

ANYWAY. Just set something up and I'll gladly travel out to wherever and sign books, talk Zen, lead some Zen, whatever. Just write me with the when's, where's and most importantly how's.

Damn, now I'm gonna have to change my blog template too; I take it you used the new Blogger thing that makes you use the movable modules? I assume you just saved the html for your links and copied them? Because otherwise it dumps them all. I'm gonna figure this stuff out, yet...

Hi Brad. You may not remember, but I emailed you almost 2 years ago about the "legitimacy" of a local Zen center close to where I live. Turns out I've been going there ever since. If you would like to come to Houston, I can talk to my teacher about inviting you down.

Love the new look. Very inspiring. And the focus required to write HTML code... well hmm, I see how similar to zazen it can be. In fact, just about everything we are doing can be I think. No separation.

Brad says "Whenever I do a speaking gig, lots of folks show up. Maybe I only get seven people for Zazen on Saturdays, but if folks don't gotta do anything but listen to a talk, they show up."

That is interesting. Because I'd rather do a three day retreat then attend a lecture. But a lecture would be cool too.

I've contacted a Dharma center for booking something. A lady on the committee said she would bring it up at the next meeting, and I have other places to contact. So I'm trying to make it happen here in Southwest Ohio.

2 questions... first one: I'm a student at Rutgers University in New Jersey (new brunswick)... if i could set something up would you be willing to come out here to speak to a bunch of college kids?

second: As messed up as this may seem, I want to write a research paper on zen (I have to write a paper that has something to do with religion). Any ideas? I need to formulate some kind of argument about zen in the west or zen and some other religion... something specific that i can research and argue in 10 pages... i was thinking maybe the common misconceptions about zen and its philosophy? any suggestions? anyone?

Thanks for the website- it really did help a lot! Apparently a focus on meditation is really uncommon in Japan- interesting. So I think i have my topic- "why has meditation become such a big concern for many western zen converts?" (one of the comments on the article posed this question)should be interesting... The final paper's not actually due until april, so if anyone else has anything to say, including you Brad, I'd love to hear it!

Hey Brad, neat layout! Just wanted to let you know that I agree with you on the drug front, and that I referenced you in a post on my blog (not about drugs). Check it out if you've got the time or inclination.

I love the new look. I just want to say that "HARDCORE ZEN" was an INSPIRATION to me as is your website - I read it frequently(your blog/website that is...) Can't wait to read your new book. All the best man!